President Trump just used the White House press briefing room for a publicity stunt
President Trump just used the White House press briefing room for a publicity stunt
Hunter Walker 13 hours ago
WASHINGTON — President Trump made his first appearance ever in the White House press briefing room on Thursday, but he didn’t take any questions from the media. Instead, Trump used the occasion to pursue a political battle with Congress, trotting out burly Border Patrol union representatives to endorse his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border.
Trump’s use of the briefing room for what was essentially a publicity event comes at a time when his administration is largely avoiding the press, and it prompted angry and incredulous responses from reporters.
“Why come out here?” one reporter shouted as Trump departed after just over eight minutes.
President Donald Trump speaks at the White House, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019, in Washington. (Photo: Evan Vucci/AP)
Much of the federal government has been shut since Dec. 22 in a stalemate with Congress over Trump’s demand for over $5 billion to begin construction on the wall. Democrats have refused to provide the funds. Trump used his appearance in the briefing room to make the case that a wall, or “barrier” as he has taken to calling it, is an urgent matter of national security.
In prior administrations and earlier in Trump’s tenure, briefings with the press secretary and other officials were held multiple times a week. However, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders has held only four briefings since last September, about one a month.
The lack of briefings isn’t the only way the Trump administration has retreated from the press. Trump rarely holds organized solo press conferences and the White House communications operation often simply ignores press inquiries . It has been described by some veteran White House reporters as the least responsive in modern history. The silence has led to criticism from Trump allies and constantly swirling rumors of imminent staff departures. One former White House official recently described the situation to Yahoo News as a “zombie comms shop.”
Trump’s appearance initially seemed like an almost unprecedented surprise briefing. It began with an abrupt announcement over the White House loudspeakers that Sanders would be holding a briefing in five minutes. In prior administrations, briefings were typically announced the night before they were held. The few recent briefings in Trump’s White House have been held with a few hours’ notice.
Sanders appeared first and apologized for the “short notice” before introducing Trump.
“I’d like to welcome a very special guest for an appearance here in the briefing room, our very great President Donald J. Trump,” Sanders said.
“Hello everybody,” Trump said to the assembled reporters. “This is a beautiful place. I haven’t seen it.”
Trump then introduced the group standing behind him, seven men and one woman, as “people that have been extremely supportive of what we’re doing on the border” and said they all worked for the Border Patrol or Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Trump invited them to “say a few words about the wall.”
“You can call it a barrier. You can call it whatever you want, but essentially we need protection in our country. We’re going to make it good,” Trump said.
Three men who identified themselves as leaders of the National Border Patrol Council, a union that represents Border Patrol agents and support staff, spoke briefly in support of the wall and the president’s willingness to shut down the government for it.
After the men made their remarks, Trump said they were at the White House for a previously planned meeting when he decided to bring them into the briefing room.
“This meeting was set up a long time ago. It just came at a very opportune time and I thought — we were all sitting in the Oval Office working on different plans. … I just appreciate them being here, I said, ‘Let’s go out see the press you can tell them about the importance of the wall,” said Trump.
Trump thanked the group for coming and noted that it was unusual for him to be in the briefing room.
“I’m glad we came out here and first time I’ve ever done this. It’s the first time I’ve done it,” Trump said before turning back to the men. “I’ve done it for you and I’m very proud of that because you have done a fantastic job.”
Trump concluded by addressing the reporters.
“Thank you all very much. Appreciate it,” Trump said before stepping away from the podium and exiting the briefing room.
As he left, Trump ignored questions shouted by the reporters seated in the briefing room.
The turd's whole 'presidency' is a publicity stunt.
Oh waahhh! What president has not?
OMG... A politician used a government owned room for a publicity stunt... say it's not so...
geeze, slow news day?
It must be for you if you're seeking pieces to belittle.
I was saying on another thread how reasonable you were.
Snark much?
well, yeah I can snark from time to time. But to be honest my comment about a slow news day was, in my mind, aimed at the reporter who put this piece out there. I didn't think that you would take it personally and for that I apologize and will try to remember when responding to your seeds to be as clear as I can.
I'm sorry sniffy. I got it now. I appreciate the clarification
I'm not being a dick by calling you sniffy. I don't like autcorrect!
Sandy I wasnt being derogatory, autocorrect changed snuffy to sniffy.
Dang, your autocorrect is good!! It knows I have a head cold..
As I've said on other threads, you can call me just about anything you want. I've got big shoulders and at my age I've heard most of it. Just don't call me late for dinner...
I think the mods are just used to your "unique" way of stating things
Watched that sad display.
He told everyone there was going to be a press conference, then shuffled out several people to sing his praise.
I honestly think it was because the news of the day was about Pelosi becoming speaker of the house. He couldn't stand not having the attention.
I had to laugh when they were leaving the room, a reporter asked, Do you all know what a press room is for?
That explains it!
His acting AG was so bad that I thought Trump was going ask for a cigarette when he was done.
It is always a sickening display. Even a meeting the other day, they went around the room and one by one praised him.
I have never witnessed anything like this. One must sing praises of dear leader.
What is meant by "publicity stunt?" Should the president not be presenting his thoughts and ideas to the public? Should he not be presenting evidence that supports what he wants to do? When any elected official does this, does he/she always take questions? Are they obligated to? Where is the problem?
This was a supposed press briefing. It was an ass kissing session and a way to get attention back to him.
What does that mean? It's his press conference. Is the attention not supposed to be on him? He had something to say to the media so he called them. Public people do this every day. You act like he broke the law or something.
I wouldn't sweat it Tacos.
There are some people bitch about Trump no matter what he does. That commented would complain about him if he personally gave them a check for a million dollars and cured all known diseases.
.
At least Pres. Clinton kept his blow jobs private, ( until Ken Starr came along ).
Trump is the only President I've ever known who not only needs his blowjobs to be very public but also to be filmed and broadcast live.
It's no wonder he has such trouble getting people to work for him. The level of lickspittle and personal self abasement required to work for Trump is very hard to find.
Notice how many of Trumps first round of taint licking Cabinet members below are now gone.
Trump Invites His Employees To Praise Him During Cabinet Meeting
Vice President Mike Pence
Nope, he was just throwing another 'look at me' event since Nancy was sworn in.
Like Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, which he paid out of campaign funds?
Ok...notice what Sonny Purdue says. They like you in MS....not I like you, but they.
Obviously you missed the point of his statement. The fact is Republicans would have lost their minds if Clinton had a round table session where he basically demanded all of his underlings to verbally fellate him. But Trump does it and the only question you ask is "Where do I sign up?".
Whew, finally.
So I wasn't being too obtuse. Some of the responses had me wandering. (smile)
Leave it to left-wing Yahoo to misrepresent facts. Approximately 1/4 of non-essential federal government is shut down. Non-essential workers in federal government will be recompensed once the government reopens. Since they're "non-essential", maybe we should consider eliminating those jobs.
Hope you aren't looking for a 2018 tax refund this year.....
Good news maybe I won’t get audited again this year! 🥳
Your personal comment is irrelevant to my factual comment 6 from 2 days ago. Please explain your point.
Federal prison guards aren't getting paid while they do their jobs. Hope you don't live near any federal prisons. Hope you don't plan on flying anytime soon, either, since TSA agents aren't getting paid
Yeah. It is a shame that Nancy Pelosi and Chuckie Schemer care more about illegal aliens than they do hard working Americans
Deleted by poster.
So I'm ignorant, am I? Nice personal attack, there, Jasper
My original comment to BF was generalized, but I decided to not post it. There was no reference to you.
Do you consider TSA agents and federal prison guards to be extraneous federal employees?
I see you deleted your comment.
riiiggghhhhttttt.....
you're so transparent
Yes, I did. My reason is clearly stated in comment 6.1.9 .
you're still transparent as glass
You own your own business, too, tho, right?
I tried that one year, futzing with my W4 so I didn't owe anything. I messed up and ended up owing. I'd rather the government use my money interest free than end up owing them anything
some people use that as a form of savings account they cash out once a year.
which is understandable. no money gets lost.
being a self-employed builder required the most cash on hand possible...
the IRS can wait until the end of the year.
now I am retired and they get nothing
Every year I advise my tax clients to stop loaning the government money interest free, but still many want that refund check.
as someone who is self employed I’d rather pay what I have to when I file
It's easier for dumb ignorant fucks like me
Haven't had a refund in years. Always seem to break even,
When I worked in the car business I was always paid as contract work. First year of that I didn't figure out being ones own boss costs twice as much. Owed that year.
Most people get refunds because of EIC.
I get a refund for Federal but always owe State. To play it safe I have more taking out for Federal only due to the fact that one year my late husband and I took the wrong advice and ended up owing thousands.
learning how to write things off and spreading out the losses is key.
my house was my office and showroom, so I wrote off half of my housing expenses. including property taxes, electric bills, insurance, repairs, maintenance and I do mean everything associated with cost or upkeep of being in and owning my office/showroom. this more than offset the cost of paying both sides of fica
HR block free audit support guarantee? priceless
I was audited once... in the end, they demanded immediate payment of about 17 dollars...
seems I could "adjust" a previous return faster than they could.... LOL
Was in the same boat. Owed enough that they happily set up a payment plan.
Thought, never again.
At first I thought, what the hell. I will say the woman I was dealing with was patient with me. Explaining that being my own boss I had to pay the company share that would normally be paid by the business employing a person.
Was more or less a crash course in taxes. Learned a lot that year.
My job after the car business, I ended up doing the taxes for the company. Did the quarterly and end of year. A small business so not that bad.
Hahaha Probably thought they would get you on something.
I get a refund because I claim 0 on my W4. I don't get refunds because I don't get EIC
I always claim one.
I mean I get a refund but it's not because I get EIC.
Man.....I can't even understand what I write today
Haha I understood.
I have just seen people that get between 3 and 5k back because of the deduction. Use it to get a new tv or something.
Never have used it myself. Not having kids will do that.
Those "Hispanic" bald "White Guys" really fucked things up huh ! (Facepalm face)
Hysterical! The Press is reporting that they hate being briefed in the briefing room! Trump continues to play with the media...priceless!
What 'press briefing' actually went on?